LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WHAS11) -- Louisville Metro Police arrest a man accused of fatally stabbing an elderly man at a local gas station. The violent attack happened Sunday evening at the Shell gas station in the 1100 block of South Floyd Street.
Detectives arrested Charles Richardson, 32, at his home Monday night for murder, robbery, and possession of a handgun by a convicted felon. LMPD distributed photos Monday, pulled from surveillance footage inside the convenience store, asking the public to help them identify the suspect.
Dwight Mitchell, who is a spokesperson for LMPD, said witnesses came forward and were able to place Richardson at the scene of the crime and positively identify him as the person who committed the murder.
Investigators confirmed Richardson stole items from the victim, but they would not disclose what those items were. Officers are still trying to figure out why Richardson targeted an elderly man. They said the violent attack appeared unprovoked. Mitchell said Richardson isn't cooperating with investigators so the motive of the stabbing remains a mystery.
"[Richardson] has not given us a statement at this time so we still don't know," said Mitchell. "It appears to us to have been a senseless act of random violence."
Paul Cason, 74, died in the stabbing. His family said he went to the gas station to pick up a couple lottery tickets. His son, Paul A. Cason, told WHAS11 Tuesday that the family felt some relief knowing their father's alleged killer was behind bars – but it still doesn't take back the act.
"This coward assaulted my dad from behind. He was leaving the store … a 74-year-old man. My dad could barely walk in a straight line," said Cason, noting that his father's diabetes left the man in a lot of pain. He said Richardson slit his father's throat from behind.
Richardson was a stranger to the Cason family, but court records show he was familiar with the wrong side of the law. The convicted felon did hard time for robbery and other serious crimes.
If Richardson needed money, Cason said all he would have had to do is ask. His father was the type of person who would help anyone – even strangers. Even if he felt the need to use force Cason said Richardson didn't have to kill such a frail, loving man.
"He could have pushed him down or something if he had to rob him. He didn't have to stab him. That tells me that's somebody with no heart. No heart," said Cason. "He needs to pay for this. That's it. There are no words. He doesn't care about words. He's obviously an animal. He's a beast and he needs to die. That's it."
Visitation for Paul Cason is scheduled for 6 to 9 p.m. Friday at the George R. Mason Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held Saturday at 11 a.m.
A GoFundMe account has been started to assist Cason's family. Those interested in making a donation can do so by following this link: http://www.gofundme.com/PaulCasonFamily
